May 25, 2007, Cinemateca, José Luis Pick’n’tip

What a master storyteller Zhang Yimou is! This movie exceeded my expectations on so many different levels. First it tells a very thrilling story. You don’t have to know any Chinese history to appreciate a universal story with ingredients such as power struggle, incest and revenge.

I feel like with this movie, the director has picked up where he left off in his earlier masterpieces such as Raise the Red Lantern and To Live which all told very human and emotional stories without being overshadowed by fancy techniques and special effects. Secondly, acting in this movie is top notch. There is something about the collaboration between Zhang Yimou and Gong Li that somehow just brings out the best in Gong Li. Gong Li’s regal presence dominates the movie and she takes you on this emotional roller coaster ride with her character right from the beginning to the end. Chow Yun Fat is very impressive as well and there are some very intense moments between the two characters that pretty much set the tone for the entire mov
ie. Thirdly, the fight sequences are visually stunning and yet more realistic than some of the sequences in House of Flying Daggers and they blend so well into the story that they never become distracting!

The Tip:

Important:

In order to provide the best viewing experience, the show times for some movies may be adjusted to accommodate their length, be sure to check the schedule carefully. I also want to remind you of our new ticket price; 50 pesos and discount cards 12 shows for 450 pesos.

Starting Monday, after noon, buy your tickets in advance for any movie or show of the week. If you have a discount card, collect your pass to assure you get a seat; don’t take the risk of being locked out…. Nos vemos en el Cine….

You want to receive this info by email? Write to José Luis at alephamour@hotmail.com.

Thank you.

The Movies:

The Long Run (2000)
Monday, May 28 at 4pm
Thursday, May 31 at 4pm
Independent Dramas, English, 113 minutes.
Director: Jean Stewart
Cast: Armin Mueller-Stahl, Paterson Joseph, Nthati Moshesh, Seputla Sebogodi

Barry (Armin Mueller-Stahl), an aging running coach, has lost his job and his dignity. But just when he thinks he’s been beaten, he meets a promising and fiercely independent young runner named Christine (Nthati Moshesh). Together they attempt to win the toughest race of all, the Comrades Marathon—but first, they’ll have to start believing in each other. Jean Stewart directs this inspirational South African drama.

Picasso: Magic, Sex, Death (2003)
Tuesday, May 29 at noon
Cast: Pablo Picasso, John Richardson
Art Documentary, English, 150 minutes

Pablo Picasso’s longtime friend and biographer, John Richardson, explores the life and artistic themes of the Spanish painter and sculptor—a seminal figure in both 20th century art and culture. Picasso’s recurring themes of magic, sex and death are explored via his unquenchable passion for life and devotion to self-expression.

Le Bonheur Est Dans Le Pré (Happiness Is in the Field 1995)
Tuesday, May 29 at 5pm
Wednesday, May 30 at 5pm
French Comedy French with English subtitles, 106 min.
Director Etienne Chatiliez.
Cast: Michel Serrault, Eddy Mitchell, Sabine Azéma, Carmen Maura.

Lots of people wish they could be someone else, but a French businessman decides to do something about it in this satirical comedy. Francis Bergeade (Michel Serrault) runs a factory in a small town that makes toilet seats. With his employees on strike and his wife plundering his bank account as she plans their daughter’s wedding, Francis’s life isn’t much fun; his one real pleasure is eating and drinking well, in the company of his friend Gerard (Eddy Mitchell). One evening, Francis is watching a television show about people who’ve gone missing, and he sees the sad story of Dolores (Carmen Maura), a woman living on a beautiful farm in the South of France who has no idea where her husband has gone…

Curse of the Golden Flower (Man cheng jin dai huang jin jia 2007)
Friday, June 1 at 3pm
Tuesday, June 5 at 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 6 at 7:30pm
Chinese Drama, Chinese with English subtitles, 114 minutes
Director: Yimou Zhang
Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Ye Liu, Gong Li, Dahong Ni, Jay Chou.

This lavish film from landmark director Yimou Zhang follows the romantic intrigue and political machinations in the house of the Emperor Ping (Chow Yun Fat) and his ailing wife (Li Gong). Even their children are swept into their secret passions and schemes to power, but will their reign end in a bloody coup? Sumptuous costumes and dazzling martial arts form the backdrop for this complex tale of loyalty and deception, love and betrayal.

La Buche (1999)
Friday, June 1 at 5pm
Tuesday, June 5 at 3pm
French Comedies, French with English subtitles, 104 minutes
Director: Daniele Thompson
Cast: Sabine Azema, Emmanuelle Béart, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Francoise Fabian.

If you liked Home for Holidays, then La Buche should be added to your list of movies to see. In this lightweight French comedy from screenwriter-turned-director Daniele Thompson, three daughters scheme to reunite their parents, who divorced 25 years ago and haven’t spoken to each other since. It’s a Christmas dinner that will give every person from a dysfunctional family a nod of acknowledgement and many laughs.

Kids Movie series
Saturday June 2 at 12 noon
Free entrance, theater capacity.

Musical Saturdays:
Will resume in Winter